[Colorado-Talk] FW: Question about funding

Wed Apr 2 18:44:09 UTC 2025

Here is an email I received from the director of our Colorado Talking Book Library about the real possibilities of financial cuts to the budget.  I think this is an important issue that we have not had much clarity on.  Nicolle gives us the resources to keep informed so we can take action by telling our state and national leaders how important this service is.

Peggy Chong

Aurora Chapter

From: Steffen, Nicolle <Steffen_N at cde.state.co.us> 
Sent: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 11:01 AM
To: Peggy Chong <chongpeggy10 at gmail.com>
Subject: RE: Question about funding

Hi, Peggy.

The potential loss of LSTA funding currently distributed by IMLS will have an impact on CTBL and the services provided to patrons. However, the specific effects remain uncertain at this time. The library receives critical resources from NLS, for example audio and braille books, audio players, and braille eReaders. However, the library does not receive funding from NLS. 

Below is a link to a summary produced by the Colorado State Library outlining LSTA funding distribution, including details specific to CTBL:

Graphic version: https://www.lrs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LSTA_distribution_print.pdf?lrspdfmetric=no

Text only version:

https://www.lrs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FEDERAL-Funding-Makes-a-LOCAL-Difference-in-Colorado-Text-Only.pdf?lrspdfmetric=no

Here is the summary I’ve been sharing with the field: 

For those concerned about the potential loss of the IMLS agency and LSTA funding, I encourage reaching out to senators and representatives to express those concerns (see below for more details). Personal stories can be especially impactful—why is CTBL important to you? How would losing access to the library affect your life?

Please find below some resources you can share if someone asks for more information. 

*	5 Calls, Save IMLS : https://5calls.org/issue/institute-museum-library-services-imls-ala/
*	ALA "Show Up for Libraries: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/i/463208600EB4D89A
*	Find your members of Congress by typing in your address at: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
*	CTBL: The Colorado Talking Book Library receives LSTA funds to support library programs serving people who are blind or print disabled. The Colorado Talking Book Library provides accessible library materials to individuals and organizations across all counties in the state. IMLS support, including LSTA funding, is critical to the operation of CTBL.
*	IMLS: The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent federal agency that supports libraries, archives, and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories. IMLS distributes LSTA funds and reports on their use in each state—including Colorado.
*	LSTA: Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds the Grants to States program. States, not the federal government, decide how to spend these funds to support libraries in their communities. 

I will update the board with the latest information at the meeting this month. Also, I’ve copied the entire FCTBL board on this email.

Best,

Nicolle S.

Nicolle Steffen, MLIS

Director

Colorado Talking Book Library

Colorado State Publications Library

 <tel:303.727.9277> 303.727.9277

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Fax  <fax:303.727.9281> 303.727.9281

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Cell  <tel:720.425.8994> 720.425.8994

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Toll‑free 1.800.685.2136

 <mailto:Steffen_N at cde.state.co.us> Steffen_N at cde.state.co.us

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 <http://www.myctbl.org/> www.myctbl.org

|

 <http://www.cde.state.co.us/stateinfo>  www.cde.state.co.us/stateinfo

180 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80226

 <http://www.cde.state.co.us/> 

 <https://www.facebook.com/codepted> 

 <http://www.youtube.com/codeptofed> 

 <https://twitter.com/codepted> 

 <http://www.linkedin.com/company/colorado-department-of-education/> 

Email cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses.  Therefore, email cannot be used to transfer files containing personally identifiable information of educators or students.  Contact the intended recipient to mutually determine enhanced security options for transferring such information.

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